Throwable robot with improved drive system

ABSTRACT

A two wheeled throwable robot comprises an elongate chassis with two ends, a motor at each end, drive wheels connected to the motors, and a tail extending from the elongate chassis. The throwable robot includes a pair of torque limiting mechanisms, each torque limiting mechanism being operatively coupled between a motor and a drive wheel. Each torque limiting mechanism comprises a drive flange portion, a driven flange portion and a plurality of rollers. A spring element provides a ring force that biases the rollers toward the driven flange portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/545,849, filed Aug. 15, 2017, which is incorporatedherein in its entirety by reference. The present application also claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/545,879, filed Aug.15, 2017, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Throwable robots used in military and policing operations need to berobust and able to survive exposure to rugged conditions including waterand vertical drops. Improvements in reliability and performance forrobots used in high stakes military and police operations are desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a means to readily, reliably, and securelyenable or disable a device, for example a throwable robot. Inembodiments, the throwable surveillance robot comprises a pair ofaxially aligned drive wheels, each wheel having a maximum diameter. Thesurveillance robot may have a body comprising a housing extendingbetween the drive wheels. In embodiments, the housing is disposedcompletely within a cylinder defined by the maximum diameters of thedrive wheels. In embodiments, the housing defines a housing cavitycontaining a receiver, a transmitter and a video camera connected to thetransmitter. The housing may include a key holding portion defining akey holding slot having a key insertion and withdrawal axis. Inembodiments, throwing of the surveillance robot is facilitated by adesign providing a total weight of less than six pounds. The pair ofaxially aligned drive wheels a starboard drive wheel and a port drivewheel.

In embodiments, the surveillance robot comprises a pair of motorsdisposed inside the housing cavity defined by the housing. Inembodiments, the pair of motors comprises a starboard motor and a portmotor, each motor comprising a motor shaft. A starboard motor gear maybe fixed to the motor shaft of the starboard motor. The starboard motorgear may comprise a plurality of gear teeth configured to mate with thetoothed outer portion of a starboard drive member. In embodiments, thestarboard drive member comprises a starboard driving flange portion andthe toothed outer portion. In embodiments, the starboard driving flangeportion defines a plurality apertures. The apertures may be arranged ina radial pattern extending along a circular path. In embodiments, thestarboard driving flange portion of the starboard drive member defines acentral opening.

In embodiments, the surveillance robot comprises a starboard drivenmember comprising a mating shaft portion that extends through thecentral opening defined by the starboard drive member. In embodiments,the driven member is positioned so that a driven flange portion of thedriven member is disposed opposite the driving flange of the starboarddrive member. In embodiments, the starboard driven flange portiondefines a plurality of holes, each hole being dimensioned and positionedto temporarily or permanently receive a portion of one of the pluralityof rollers. In embodiments, each hole is dimensioned and configured suchthat one of the plurality of rollers cannot pass through the hole. Insome embodiments, each hole comprises a through hole. In otherembodiments, each hole comprises a blind hole. In some embodiments, therollers comprise a plurality of cylindrical rods. In other embodiments,the rollers comprise a plurality of spherical balls.

The surveillance robot may also comprise a starboard spring element thatprovides a spring force. In embodiments, the spring force provided bythe starboard spring element acts to bias each of the rollers toward thestarboard driven flange of the starboard driven member. In embodiments,the starboard spring element comprises a wave spring. Wave springs thatmay be suitable in some applications are disclosed in the followingpatents, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference: U.S. Pat.No. 7,793,923, U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,465, U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,184, U.S.Pat. No. 6,598,406, U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,631, U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,250,and U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,393.

In embodiments, the surveillance robot comprises a pair of motorsdisposed inside the housing cavity defined by the housing. Inembodiments, the pair of motors comprises a port motor and a port motor,each motor comprising a motor shaft. A port motor gear may be fixed tothe motor shaft of the port motor. The port motor gear may comprise aplurality of gear teeth configured to mate with the toothed outerportion of a port drive member. In embodiments, the port drive membercomprises a port driving flange portion and the toothed outer portion.In embodiments, the port driving flange portion defines a pluralityapertures. The apertures may be arranged in a radial pattern extendingalong a circular path. In embodiments, the port driving flange portionof the port drive member defines a central opening.

In embodiments, the surveillance robot comprises a port driven membercomprising a mating shaft portion that extends through the centralopening defined by the port drive member. In embodiments, the drivenmember is positioned so that a driven flange portion of the drivenmember is disposed opposite the driving flange of the port drive member.In embodiments, the port driven flange portion defines a plurality ofholes, each hole being dimensioned and positioned to temporarily orpermanently receive a portion of one of the plurality of rollers. Inembodiments, each hole is dimensioned and configured such that one ofthe plurality of rollers cannot pass through the hole. In someembodiments, each hole comprises a through hole. In other embodiments,each hole comprises a blind hole. The surveillance robot may alsocomprise a port spring element that provides a spring force. Inembodiments, the spring force provided by the port spring element actsto bias each of the rollers toward the port driven flange of the portdriven member. In embodiments, the port spring element comprises a wavespring.

In embodiments, the starboard mating shaft portion of the starboarddriven member extends through a lumen defined by the starboard springelement and the port mating shaft portion of the port driven memberextends through a lumen defined by the port spring element. Inembodiments, the surveillance robot further comprises a starboardpressure plate and a port pressure plate. In embodiments, the starboardmating shaft portion of the starboard driven member extends through astarboard pressure plate opening defined by the starboard pressureplate. In embodiments, the starboard pressure plate is disposed betweenthe starboard spring element and a plurality of rollers. In embodiments,these rollers are at least partially disposed in the apertures definedby the starboard driving flange portion. In embodiments, the port matingshaft portion of the port driven member extends through a port pressureplate opening defined by the port pressure plate. In embodiments, theport pressure plate is disposed between the port spring element and aplurality of rollers. In embodiments, these rollers are at leastpartially disposed in the apertures defined by the port driving flangeportion.

In embodiments, the surveillance robot further comprises a starboardretention ring, a starboard pressure disk, a port retention ring, and aport pressure disk. In embodiments, the starboard retention ring isreceived in a groove defined by the starboard mating shaft portion ofthe starboard driven member and the port retention ring is received in agroove defined by the port mating shaft portion of the port drivenmember. In embodiments, the starboard mating shaft portion of thestarboard driven member extends through a starboard pressure diskopening defined by the starboard pressure disk. In embodiments, thestarboard pressure disk is disposed between the starboard spring elementand the starboard retention ring. In embodiments, the port mating shaftportion of the port driven member extends through a port pressure diskopening defined by the port pressure disk. In embodiments, the portpressure disk is disposed between the port spring element and the portretention ring.

In embodiments, each driven shaft portion includes a thread. Inembodiments, a nut may threadingly engage the thread on each drivenshaft portion. In embodiments, a wheel may be fixed to each driven shaftportion. In embodiments, a starboard ring panel is disposed between astarboard retaining ring and a starboard pressure disk. In embodiments,a port ring panel is disposed between a port retaining ring and a portpressure disk. In embodiments, each spring element defines a springlumen.

A feature and benefit of embodiments is a highly consistent torquelimiting function, both between different assemblies and through time ona given assembly.

A feature and benefit of embodiments is a torque limiting function thatremains consistent while being exposed to contaminants such as water,grease and oil. A related feature and benefit of embodiments is a designthat allows portions of the drivetrain to be lubricated without concernthat lubricant will interfere with the operation of the torque limitingmechanism.

The above summary is not intended to describe each illustratedembodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included in the present application are incorporated into,and form part of, the specification. They illustrate embodiments of thepresent disclosure and, along with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure. The drawings are only illustrative ofcertain embodiments and do not limit the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a top, front, left perspective view of a throwable robot inaccordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 2 is a top, rear, right perspective view of a throwable robot inaccordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 3 is a top, rear, left perspective view of a throwable robot inaccordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 4 is a top, front, right perspective view of a throwable robot inaccordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a wheel and a torquelimiting assembly/mechanism in accordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a wheel and a torquelimiting assembly/mechanism in accordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a torque limitingassembly/mechanism in accordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a torque limitingassembly/mechanism in accordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a portion of a throwable robot. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 9, the wheels and a cover have been removed fromthe throwable robot for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a torque limitingassembly/mechanism in accordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a torque limitingassembly/mechanism in accordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 12A is an exploded perspective view of a throwable robot inaccordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 12B is an enlarged perspective view further illustrating a torquelimiting assembly/mechanism shown in FIG. 12A.

FIG. 12C is an enlarged perspective view further illustrating a torquelimiting assembly/mechanism shown in FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13 is a partially cross-sectioned perspective view furtherillustrating the torque limiting assembly/mechanism shown in FIG. 12B.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing a torque limitingassembly/mechanism in accordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a torque limitingassembly/mechanism in accordance with the detailed description.

While the embodiments of the disclosure are amenable to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shownby way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit thedisclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, theintention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in embodiments, a throwable surveillancerobot 100 comprises a pair of axially aligned drive wheels 102, eachwheel 102 having a maximum diameter. The surveillance robot 100 may havea body 104 comprising a housing 106 extending between the drive wheels102. In embodiments, the housing 106 is disposed completely within acylinder defined by the maximum diameters of the drive wheels 102. Inembodiments, the housing 106 defines a housing cavity 108 containing areceiver 110, a transmitter 112 and a video camera 114 connected to thetransmitter 112. The housing 106 may include a key holding portion 116defining a key holding slot 118 having a key insertion and withdrawalaxis. In embodiments, throwing of the surveillance robot 100 isfacilitated by a design providing a total weight of less than sixpounds. The pair of axially aligned drive wheels a starboard drive wheel102 and a port drive wheel 102.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 12A, in embodiments, the surveillance robot 100comprises a pair of motors disposed inside the housing cavity 108defined by the housing 106. In embodiments, the pair of motors comprisesa starboard motor 122 and a port motor 122, each motor comprising amotor shaft. A starboard motor gear 124 may be fixed to the motor shaftof the starboard motor 122. The starboard motor gear 124 may comprise aplurality of gear teeth configured to mate with the toothed outerportion 128 of a starboard drive member 126. In embodiments, thestarboard drive member 126 comprises a starboard driving flange portion130 and the toothed outer portion 128. In embodiments, the starboarddriving flange portion 130 defines a plurality apertures 132. Theapertures 132 may be arranged in a radial pattern extending along acircular path. In embodiments, the starboard driving flange portion 130of the starboard drive member 126 defines a central opening 166.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7-15, in embodiments, the surveillance robot100 comprises a starboard driven member 138 comprising a mating shaftportion 168 that extends through the central opening 166 defined by thestarboard drive member 126. In embodiments, the driven member 138 ispositioned so that a driven flange portion 140 of the driven member 138is disposed opposite the driving flange portion 130 of the starboarddrive member 126. In embodiments, the starboard driven flange portion140 defines a plurality of holes 162, each hole 162 being dimensionedand positioned to temporarily or permanently receive a portion of one ofthe plurality of rollers 148. In embodiments, each hole 162 isdimensioned and configured such that one of the plurality of rollers 148cannot pass through the hole 162. In some embodiments, each hole 162comprises a through hole. In other embodiments, each hole 162 comprisesa blind hole. In some embodiments, the rollers 148 comprise a pluralityof cylindrical rods. In other embodiments, the rollers 148 comprise aplurality of spherical balls.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 7-15, the surveillance robot 100 may alsocomprise a starboard spring element 158 that provides a spring force. Inembodiments, the spring force provided by the starboard spring element158 acts to bias each of the rollers toward the starboard driven flangeportion 140 of the starboard driven member 138. In embodiments, thestarboard spring element 158 comprises a wave spring. Wave springs thatmay be suitable in some applications are disclosed in the followingpatents, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference: U.S. Pat.No. 7,793,923, U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,465, U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,184, U.S.Pat. No. 6,598,406, U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,631, U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,250,and U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,393.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 7-15, in embodiments, the surveillancerobot 100 comprises a pair of motors disposed inside the housing cavity108 defined by the housing 106. In embodiments, the pair of motorscomprises a port motor 122 and a port motor 122, each motor comprising amotor shaft. A port motor gear 124 may be fixed to the motor shaft ofthe port motor 122. The port motor gear 124 may comprise a plurality ofgear teeth configured to mate with the toothed outer portion 128 of aport drive member 126. In embodiments, the port drive member 126comprises a port driving flange portion 130 and the toothed outerportion 128. In embodiments, the port driving flange portion 130 definesa plurality apertures 132. The apertures 132 may be arranged in a radialpattern extending along a circular path. In embodiments, the portdriving flange portion 130 of the port drive member 126 defines acentral opening 166.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 7-15, in embodiments, the surveillancerobot 100 comprises a port driven member 138 comprising a mating shaftportion 168 that extends through the central opening 166 defined by theport drive member 126. In embodiments, the driven member 138 ispositioned so that a driven flange portion 140 of the driven member 138is disposed opposite the driving flange portion 130 of the port drivemember 126. In embodiments, the port driven flange portion 140 defines aplurality of holes 162, each hole 162 being dimensioned and positionedto temporarily or permanently receive a portion of one of the pluralityof rollers 148. In embodiments, each hole 162 is dimensioned andconfigured such that one of the plurality of rollers 148 cannot passthrough the hole 162. In some embodiments, each hole 162 comprises athrough hole. In other embodiments, each hole 162 comprises a blindhole. The surveillance robot 100 may also comprise a port spring element158 that provides a spring force. In embodiments, the spring forceprovided by the port spring element 158 acts to bias each of the rollerstoward the port driven flange portion 140 of the port driven member 138.In embodiments, the port spring element 158 comprises a wave spring.

Referring to FIGS. 7-15, in embodiments, the starboard mating shaftportion 168 of the starboard driven member 138 extends through a lumendefined by the starboard spring element 158 and the port mating shaftportion 168 of the port driven member 138 extends through a lumendefined by the port spring element 158. In embodiments, the surveillancerobot 100 further comprises a starboard pressure plate 150 and a portpressure plate 150. In embodiments, the starboard mating shaft portion168 of the starboard driven member 138 extends through a starboardpressure plate opening defined by the starboard pressure plate 150. Inembodiments, the starboard pressure plate 150 is disposed between thestarboard spring element 158 and a plurality of rollers 148. Inembodiments, these rollers are at least partially disposed in theapertures 132 defined by the starboard driving flange portion 130. Inembodiments, the port mating shaft portion 168 of the port driven member138 extends through a port pressure plate opening defined by the portpressure plate 150. In embodiments, the port pressure plate 150 isdisposed between the port spring element 158 and a plurality of rollers148. In embodiments, these rollers are at least partially disposed inthe apertures 132 defined by the port driving flange portion 130.

Still referring to FIGS. 7-15, in embodiments, the surveillance robot100 further comprises a starboard retaining ring 152, a starboardpressure disk 154, a port retaining ring 152, and a port pressure disk154. In embodiments, the starboard retaining ring 152 is received in agroove defined by the starboard mating shaft portion 168 of thestarboard driven member 138 and the port retaining ring 152 is receivedin a groove defined by the port mating shaft portion 168 of the portdriven member 138. In embodiments, the starboard mating shaft portion168 of the starboard driven member 138 extends through a starboardpressure disk opening defined by the starboard pressure disk 154. Inembodiments, the starboard pressure disk 154 is disposed between thestarboard spring element 158 and the starboard retaining ring 152. Inembodiments, the port mating shaft portion 168 of the port driven member138 extends through a port pressure disk opening defined by the portpressure disk 154. In embodiments, the port pressure disk 154 isdisposed between the port spring element 158 and the port retaining ring152.

Still referring to FIGS. 7-15, in embodiments, each driven shaft portion142 includes a thread 144. In embodiments, a nut 146 may threadinglyengage the thread on each driven shaft portion 142. In embodiments, awheel may be fixed to each driven shaft portion 142.

Referring to FIGS. 14-15, in embodiments, a starboard ring panel 156 isdisposed between a starboard retaining ring 152 and a starboard pressuredisk. In embodiments, a port ring panel 156 is disposed between a portretaining ring 152 and a port pressure disk. In embodiments, each springelement 158 defines a spring lumen 164.

Referring to FIG. 1, a forward direction Z and a rearward direction −Zare illustrated using arrows labeled “Z” and “−Z,” respectively. A portdirection X and a starboard direction −X are illustrated using arrowslabeled “X” and “−X,” respectively. An upward direction Y and a downwarddirection −Y are illustrated using arrows labeled “Y” and “−Y,”respectively. The directions illustrated using these arrows may beconceptualized, by way of example and not limitation, from the point ofview of a viewer looking through the camera of the robot. The directionsillustrated using these arrows may be applied to the apparatus shown anddiscussed throughout this application. The port direction may also bereferred to as the portward direction. In one or more embodiments, theupward direction is generally opposite the downward direction. In one ormore embodiments, the upward direction and the downward direction areboth generally orthogonal to the ZX plane defined by the forwarddirection and the starboard direction. In one or more embodiments, theforward direction is generally opposite the rearward direction. In oneor more embodiments, the forward direction and the rearward directionare both generally orthogonal to the XY plane defined by the upwarddirection and the starboard direction. In one or more embodiments, thestarboard direction is generally opposite the port direction. In one ormore embodiments, the starboard direction and the port direction areboth generally orthogonal to the ZY plane defined by the upwarddirection and the forward direction. Various direction-indicating termsare used herein as a convenient way to discuss the objects shown in thefigures. It will be appreciated that many direction indicating terms arerelated to the instant orientation of the object being described. Itwill also be appreciated that the objects described herein may assumevarious orientations without deviating from the spirit and scope of thisdetailed description. Accordingly, direction-indicating terms such as“upwardly,” “downwardly,” “forwardly,” “backwardly,” “portwardly,” and“starboardly,” should not be interpreted to limit the scope of theinvention recited in the attached claims.

In embodiments, a throwable robot with a pair of drive wheels includes apair of torque limiting mechanisms. In embodiments, the torque limitingmechanisms may prevent external shock loads from damaging a drivetrain.The wheels of a throwable robot may be subject to very high tangentialforces upon impact in certain orientations and trajectories, whichtranslates to a high shock load (torque) on the wheel's drivetrain.Isolating internal drive components from these shock loads is importantfor the longevity of the system, or even to survive just one throw.Therefore, a torque limiting mechanism may be included to allow thewheels to slip under impact conditions. The ideal slip torque is justhigher than the peak load applied by the drivetrain in normal operations(with some acceptable margin), which minimizes the shock loadtransmitted to the drivetrain for a given set of operating conditions.

In embodiments, a torque limiting arrangement, where several hardenedsteel balls or rods are spring-biased into recesses on an output shaft,while being rotationally coupled by means of a ball cage to an inputshaft or hub (the ball cage may be integral to the input shaft, e.g.axial holes through a web in the component). This creates a mechanismthat, when a certain torque differential is applied across the input andoutput components, will disengage them rotationally and allow forrelative rotation until the balls re-engage with their detents.

In embodiments, the slip torque may be modified via several parameters,including the radius at which the balls or cylindrical rods are placed(with respect to the main axis), the length of engagement with thedetent (which in turn defines the angle of the normal force whendisengaging), and the axial load on the balls.

In embodiments, the driving component comprises a drive member with atoothed outer portion, an integral roller cage and a recessed pocket toreceive a spring. Roller engagement may be defined by the web thicknessin a driving flange portion of the drive member, and the normal force atslip (between the rollers and the driven flange, which contributes totangential breakout force and thus slip torque) is controlled by thediameter of the holes defined by the driven flange and theirrelationship to roller diameter and engagement depth. In embodiments,each hole is dimensioned and positioned to temporarily or permanentlyreceive a portion of one of the plurality of rollers. In embodiments,each hole is dimensioned and configured such that one of the pluralityof rollers cannot pass through the hole. In embodiments, the design issuch that, when the clutch is engaged and in the absence of a torque onthe assembly, the balls have some small clearance and are free to movein their pockets. In embodiments, pre-loaded rollers may be utilized.

In embodiments, the torque limiting mechanism includes a retaining ringthat axial constrains an assembly including the spring element. Inembodiments, the spring element may comprise a multi-turn wave springwith shim ends that allow the spring itself to contact the rollers (asopposed to an intermediate flat washer or other component). Inembodiments, the wave spring is flexible and conforms somewhat to therollers. In embodiments, the torque limiting mechanism includes a shimwasher located between the retaining ring and spring and the thicknessof the shim washer may be used to adjust the spring preload andtherefore the slip torque. In embodiments, the torque limiting mechanismincludes a drive face width substantially larger than the web thickness(4 mm vs. 1.1 mm for example), allowing for a compact and weight-savingdesign that still stands up to the applied loading.

In embodiments, a torque limiting mechanism comprises a plurality ofevenly-spaced rollers and holes, the benefits of which may be thatdesign, drafting, and machining are relatively simple, and that aconsistent slip torque is provided at any given relative position, ofwhich there will always be an equal amount to the number of rollersused.

In embodiments, a torque limiting mechanism comprises a plurality ofunevenly-spaced rollers and holes, which results in fewer than the fullset of rollers being engaged in corresponding holes in some positions,allowing fewer roller receiving positions than there are rollers toexhibit the full slip torque (though as a result, more detent positionswill exist throughout the rotation that exhibit a lower slip torque).The result is that that except in specific clocking angles between theinput and output components where all rollers are engaged with theirrespective holes, the slip torque will be lower than in thefully-engaged configuration. This embodiment may have the benefit ofproviding for a longer “throw” in a relatively low-torque condition(compared to the torque when all rollers are fully engaged),substantially reducing the amplitude of subsequent torque pulses appliedas the rollers go into and out of engagement with the holes. This mayhave the effect of increasing fatigue life of the system, if typicalslip events cause larger displacements than the spacing between rollersin a similar evenly-spaced design. An example of this second embodimentwould be to have six rollers, alternately spaced at 50° and 70° from theprevious roller. Upon slipping from the initial position, the twomembers would rotate 50° before three rollers re-engage with theirholes, while the other three rollers are 20° “out of phase” with thenearest holes. The slip torque then would be roughly half of thefully-engaged slip torque. Upon slipping again, another 20° rotationwould occur, resulting in the other three rollers engaging and againproducing approximately half the fully-engaged slip torque. Finally, athird slip would produce another 50° of rotation, and the entireassembly would have rotated 120° total, resulting in full ballengagement. Notably, in this scenario, three slip events take place totraverse that 120°, vs. the two events that would occur if the rollerswere spaced at even 60° intervals. In embodiments, this may be extendedto a repeating pattern of 50-70-60 degrees or to other patterns. Inprinciple, this practice may be extended such that only a singlerelative position between the input and output shafts will produce morethan one engaged ball at a time, though in practice this may bedifficult to achieve because certain rollers may be very nearly in-phaseand even beginning to engage with the next detent in some positions.

In embodiments the robot wheels are less than 6 inches in diameter. Inembodiments, less than 5 inches. In embodiments, less than 4 inches. Inembodiments, the robot weighs less than 5 pounds.

A feature and benefit of embodiments is a highly consistent torquelimiting function, both between different assemblies and through time ona given assembly.

A feature and benefit of embodiments is a torque limiting function thatremains consistent while being exposed to contaminants such as water,grease and oil. A related feature and benefit of embodiments is a designthat allows portions of the drivetrain to be lubricated without concernthat lubricant will interfere with the operation of the torque limitingmechanism.

In embodiments, each drive wheel includes grit fixed to selectedportions thereof or the entire drive wheel. In embodiments, anadhesive-backed sheet embedded with abrasive grit (such as an anti-sliptape material) may be cut into a suitable shape, by die cutting or lasercutting or similar, and applied to the tractive surface of the wheel. Inembodiments, an edge sealer, comprising, for example, an elastomericsealant, may be applied around the exposed edges of the applied tape,helping extend longevity in wet conditions. In embodiments, each drivewheel comprises a thermoplastic elastomer, such as a polyurethane, thetractive surface of which is heated and simultaneously pressed against alayer of loose abrasive grit, thereby embedding the grit in the surfaceof the wheel once cooled. In the embodiments discussed above, a hardabrasive material such as aluminum oxide or silicon carbide may be fixedto the drive wheels and provide longevity and effectiveness on hardersurfaces. In embodiments, larger grits (in the range of 8-24 mesh) areused for embedding because they expose more of the grit particlegeometry while still significantly embedding into the substrate.

The following United States patents are hereby incorporated by referenceherein: U.S. Pat. No. 10,046,819, U.S. Pat. No. 9,061,544, U.S. Pat. No.6,548,982, U.S. Pat. No. 6,502,657, U.S. Pat. No. D637,217, and U.S.Pat. No. D626,577. Components illustrated in such patents may beutilized with embodiments herein. Incorporation by reference isdiscussed, for example, in MPEP section 2163.07(B).

The patents and other references mentioned above in all sections of thisapplication are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety forall purposes.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including thereferences incorporated by reference, including any accompanying claims,abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or processso disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinationswhere at least some of such features and/or steps are mutuallyexclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including referencesincorporated by reference, any accompanying claims, abstract anddrawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same,equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus,unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one exampleonly of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoingembodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novelcombination, of the features disclosed in this specification (includingany incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims,abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination,of the steps of any method or process so disclosed The above referencesin all sections of this application are herein incorporated byreferences in their entirety for all purposes.

Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein,it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substitutedfor the specific examples shown. This application is intended to coveradaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, itis intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims andtheir legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects.The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merelydescriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting.Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur tothose skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications aredeemed to be within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A throwable surveillance robot weighing less thansix pounds comprising: a pair of axially aligned drive wheels, eachwheel having a maximum diameter, the pair of drive wheels comprising astarboard drive wheel and a port drive wheel; a housing extendingbetween the wheels, the housing being disposed within a cylinder definedby the maximum diameters of the drive wheels, the housing defining ahousing cavity containing a receiver, a transmitter and a video cameraconnected to the transmitter; a pair of motors disposed inside thehousing cavity, the pair of motors comprising a starboard motor and aport motor, each motor comprising a motor shaft; a starboard motor gearfixed to the motor shaft of the starboard motor, the starboard motorgear comprising a plurality of gear teeth; a starboard drive membercomprising a toothed outer portion, the toothed outer portion of thestarboard drive member engaging the gear teeth of the starboard motorgear, the starboard drive member comprising a driving flange portion,the driving flange portion defining a plurality apertures, the aperturesbeing arranged in a radial pattern extending along a circular path, thestarboard drive member defining a central opening; a starboard drivenmember comprising a mating shaft portion extending through the centralopening defined by the starboard drive member so that the a drivenflange portion of the driven member is disposed opposite the drivingflange of the starboard drive member, the starboard driven flangeportion defining a plurality of holes, each hole being dimensioned andpositioned to temporarily or permanently receive a portion of one of theplurality of rollers, each hole being dimensioned and configured suchthat one of the plurality of rollers cannot pass through the hole; astarboard spring element providing a spring force, the spring forceacting to bias each of the rollers toward the driven flange of thestarboard driven member.
 2. The surveillance robot of claim 1 furthercomprising: a port motor gear fixed to the motor shaft of the portmotor, the port motor gear comprising a plurality of gear teeth; a portdrive member comprising a toothed outer portion, the toothed outerportion of the port drive member engaging the gear teeth of the portmotor gear, the port drive member comprising a driving flange portion,the driving flange portion defining a plurality apertures, the aperturesbeing arranged in a radial pattern extending along a circular path, theport drive member defining a central opening; a port driven membercomprising a mating shaft portion extending through the central openingdefined by the port drive member so that the a driven flange portion ofthe driven member is disposed opposite the driving flange of the portdrive member, the port driven flange portion defining a plurality ofholes, each hole being dimensioned and positioned to temporarily orpermanently receive a portion of one of the plurality of rollers, eachhole being dimensioned and configured such that one of the plurality ofrollers cannot pass through the hole; a port spring element providing aspring force, the spring force acting to bias each of the rollers towardthe driven flange of the port driven member.
 3. The surveillance robotof claim 2 wherein each spring element comprises one or more wavesprings.
 4. The surveillance robot of claim 2 wherein the rollerscomprise a plurality of cylindrical rods.
 5. The surveillance robot ofclaim 2 wherein the rollers comprise spherical balls.
 6. Thesurveillance robot of claim 2 wherein the holes defined by the starboarddriven flange portion and the port driven flange portion comprisethrough holes.
 7. The surveillance robot of claim 2 wherein the holesdefined by the starboard driven flange portion and the port drivenflange portion comprise blind holes.
 8. The surveillance robot of claim2 wherein: the starboard mating shaft portion of the starboard drivenmember extends through a lumen defined by the starboard spring element;and the port mating shaft portion of the port driven member extendsthrough a lumen defined by the port spring element.
 9. The surveillancerobot of claim 2 wherein: the surveillance robot further comprises astarboard pressure plate and a port pressure plate; the starboard matingshaft portion of the starboard driven member extends through a starboardpressure plate opening defined by the starboard pressure plate, thestarboard pressure plate being disposed between the starboard springelement and a plurality of rollers, the roller being at least partiallydisposed in the apertures defined by the starboard driving flangeportion; and the port mating shaft portion of the port driven memberextends through a port pressure plate opening defined by the portpressure plate, the port pressure plate being disposed between the portspring element and a plurality of rollers, the roller being at leastpartially disposed in the apertures defined by the port driving flangeportion.
 10. The surveillance robot of claim 2 wherein: the surveillancerobot further comprises a starboard retaining ring, a starboard pressuredisk, a port retaining ring, and a port pressure disk, the starboardretaining ring being received in a groove defined by the starboardmating shaft portion of the starboard driven member and the portretaining ring being received in a groove defined by the port matingshaft portion of the port driven member; the starboard mating shaftportion of the starboard driven member extends through a starboardpressure disk opening defined by the starboard pressure disk, thestarboard pressure disk being disposed between the starboard springelement and the starboard retaining ring; the port mating shaft portionof the port driven member extends through a port pressure disk openingdefined by the port pressure disk, the port pressure disk being disposedbetween the port spring element and the port retaining ring.
 11. Athrowable surveillance robot weighing less than six pounds comprising: apair of axially aligned drive wheels, each wheel having a maximumdiameter, the pair of drive wheels comprising a starboard drive wheeland a port drive wheel; a housing extending between the wheels, thehousing being disposed within a cylinder defined by the maximumdiameters of the drive wheels, the housing defining a housing cavitycontaining a receiver, a transmitter and a video camera connected to thetransmitter; a starboard drive member, the starboard drive membercomprising a driving flange portion, the driving flange portion defininga plurality apertures, the apertures being arranged in a radial patternextending along a circular path, the starboard drive member defining acentral opening; a starboard driven member comprising a mating shaftportion extending through the central opening defined by the starboarddrive member so that the a driven flange portion of the driven member isdisposed opposite the driving flange of the starboard drive member, thestarboard driven flange portion defining a plurality of holes, each holebeing dimensioned and positioned to temporarily or permanently receive aportion of one of the plurality of rollers, each hole being dimensionedand configured such that one of the plurality of rollers cannot passthrough the hole; a starboard spring element providing a spring force,the spring force acting to bias each of the rollers toward the drivenflange of the starboard driven member.
 12. The surveillance robot ofclaim 11 further comprising: a port drive member comprising a drivingflange portion, the driving flange portion defining a pluralityapertures, the apertures being arranged in a radial pattern extendingalong a circular path, the port drive member defining a central opening;a port driven member comprising a mating shaft portion extending throughthe central opening defined by the port drive member so that the adriven flange portion of the driven member is disposed opposite thedriving flange of the port drive member, the port driven flange portiondefining a plurality of holes, each hole being dimensioned andpositioned to temporarily or permanently receive a portion of one of theplurality of rollers, each hole being dimensioned and configured suchthat one of the plurality of rollers cannot pass through the hole; aport spring element providing a spring force, the spring force acting tobias each of the rollers toward the driven flange of the port drivenmember.
 13. The surveillance robot of claim 12 wherein each springelement comprises one or more wave springs.
 14. The surveillance robotof claim 12 wherein the rollers comprise a plurality of cylindricalrods.
 15. The surveillance robot of claim 12 wherein the rollerscomprise spherical balls.
 16. The surveillance robot of claim 12 whereinthe holes defined by the starboard driven flange portion and the portdriven flange portion comprise through holes.
 17. The surveillance robotof claim 12 wherein the holes defined by the starboard driven flangeportion and the port driven flange portion comprise blind holes.
 18. Thesurveillance robot of claim 12 wherein: the starboard mating shaftportion of the starboard driven member extends through a lumen definedby the starboard spring element; and the port mating shaft portion ofthe port driven member extends through a lumen defined by the portspring element.
 19. The surveillance robot of claim 12 wherein: thesurveillance robot further comprises a starboard pressure plate and aport pressure plate; the starboard mating shaft portion of the starboarddriven member extends through a starboard pressure plate opening definedby the starboard pressure plate, the starboard pressure plate beingdisposed between the starboard spring element and a plurality ofrollers, the roller being at least partially disposed in the aperturesdefined by the starboard driving flange portion; and the port matingshaft portion of the port driven member extends through a port pressureplate opening defined by the port pressure plate, the port pressureplate being disposed between the port spring element and a plurality ofrollers, the roller being at least partially disposed in the aperturesdefined by the port driving flange portion.
 20. The surveillance robotof claim 12 wherein: the surveillance robot further comprises astarboard retaining ring, a starboard pressure disk, a port retainingring, and a port pressure disk, the starboard retaining ring beingreceived in a groove defined by the starboard mating shaft portion ofthe starboard driven member and the port retaining ring being receivedin a groove defined by the port mating shaft portion of the port drivenmember; the starboard mating shaft portion of the starboard drivenmember extends through a starboard pressure disk opening defined by thestarboard pressure disk, the starboard pressure disk being disposedbetween the starboard spring element and the starboard retaining ring;the port mating shaft portion of the port driven member extends througha port pressure disk opening defined by the port pressure disk, the portpressure disk being disposed between the port spring element and theport retaining ring.